This is a personal blog. The contents are a reflection of my life and thoughts. It is not reflection of anything else. Lots of swimming, cycling, running, and some archaic posts including comments on reading, some ranting and raving, and plain old dribble...
I listened to Phedippidations during this morning run. Steve, host of Phedippidations, just broke his marathon PR with a time of 4:12:55. That is a great accomplishment. I hope I see similar results at the Mercedes in February. I had to estimate the time and lost the heart rate as the Polar heart rate monitor I have been using for several years did not respect my push of the stop button.
Data
| Distance: | 5 Miles |
| Time: | 47:30 (estimate) |
| Pace: | 9:30 |
| Weather: | Overcast Temperature-52° Humidity-88% |
| Distance: | 8 Miles |
| Time: | 1:11:50 |
| Pace: | 8:58 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-52° Humidity-92% |
I ran in the evening instead of the morning. I listened to the Daily Source Code for the first part of the run and finished off with Adam and The Ants "Dirk Wears White Socks" which I ripped from vinyl.
Data| Distance: | 5 Miles |
| Time: | 46:08 |
| Pace: | 9:13 |
| Weather: | Light rain Temperature-60° Humidity-83% |
Still no Judy; I guess she has better things on her mind. I went to see Alice Cooper last night and didn't get to bed until late, but that didn't stop me from getting out there this morning. I was only about 15 minutes late. Despite running 8 miles yesterday, I still had a strong run. I listened to Phedippidations. Most of the show was just good ol' congratulations and running stories from the Worldwide Half Marathon, but Steve closed the show with a passionate rant about the Chicago Marathon's reported water shortages. I don't know enough to say one way or the other, but it does sound as if Steve has some good points and they are made with feeling.
Data
| Distance: | 11 Miles |
| Time: | 1:42:36 |
| Heart Rate: | 148 |
| Pace: | 9:19 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-50° Humidity-80% |
| Route: | 10.5 Mile Loop + .5 Mile Add-On |
I missed my planned run on Friday. I overslept and thought I would crank it in before I started driving home from Columbia, SC. About 1:00 pm, my manager came by the cube I was using and asked what I was doing there instead of hitting the road and doing my meetings on the cell phone. I contemplated it for 45 seconds and decided he was right. So, I skipped the run, shutdown the computer, and hit the road.
So, I combined yesterday's planned 5 miles with today's 3 miles and ran 8. It was a good run, but I overslept again and missed my muscle works class. I am glad I am flexible. I decided running was more important than the muscle works class and hit the pavement. I put the iPod on shuffle and enjoyed the tunes. The weather was perfect. I do so wish, the temperature could stay like this all the time. I forgot to note in my last entry that I noticed a completely different smell in the air than I normally notice while running. It smelled like fall. Could it be that I was noticing the increased CO2 in the air as the leaves continue dieing and falling. Or, maybe it is the decay of the leaves themselves. Anyway, it was interesting and kind of relaxing.
| Distance: | 8 Miles |
| Time: | 1:11:50 |
| Pace: | 8:58 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-52° Humidity-92% |
I ran in the evening while listening to the Daily Source Code. It was a good run, but it seemed to go on forever. I failed to get up early this morning and just couldn't let the day go by without getting in my run.
| Distance: | 7 Miles |
| Time: | 1:06:53 |
| Pace: | 9:33 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-83° Humidity-54% |
I ran in the late morning after failing to hydrate enough. And, I could tell. But, I hung in there and finished. I did run 1 more lap than I had planned because I lost count. I m glad I got the run in today though instead of delaying until tomorrow like I originally thought I would. Listened to Adam Curry praise Ron Paul on the Daily Source Code. Amongst other reasons, Adam likes Ron's bias towards returning to a more pure and conservative approach to government. In general, I agree with the approach, but I believe we have to accept that times have changed. One of the best things the founding fathers did was design a legislating system that embracing change. Unlike Adam I don't think the 2nd Amendment could serve its original purpose any more. Well, unless I can afford some stealth bombers, tanks, bazookas, and other ordinance. Otherwise, we common citizens would be able to little more than be nuisances to the government.
| Distance: | 6 Miles |
| Time: | 56:29 |
| Heart Rate: | 157 |
| Pace: | 9:24 |
| Weather: | Overcast Temperature-75° Humidity-73% |
I ran the 2nd Annual Phedippidations World-Wide Half Marathon Challenge. You couldn't have asked for a better day. The weather was perfect for running. I love running in temperatures in the low 50's. OK, I copied that from last year's entry, but it was true today too. I did run faster that last year's time of 2:11:41. And, since this was my fiftieth birthday, I am especially pleased. I saw lots of other runners but ran alone. I did listen to the the Cheers from the World episode of Pheppidations. Thanks Steve and the other organizers for making this happen!
I started the run listening to the Daily Source Code and completed it finishing up the latest Accident Hash. I had a great lunch with Edd, Kaye, Tim, Faye, Danny, Judy, Byrd, John (Rish), Dave, Lisa, Hannah, John (Evans), and Betsy. I got a lot of very cool gifts (especially this 24 inch flat screen monitor! Between this weekend and last, I am reminded about just how blessed I am to have such good friends and family. I love them all. They my 1/2 century celebration wonderful.
I get the feeling listening to Steve indicate what all we should log after a run and I feel a bit inadequate. I think a lot while I run, but seem to run out of words when it comes time to log. I didn't get all philosophical, but I did think about work a fair amount. I also thought about how much I appreciate my friends. For a brief moment, I thought how appropriate it was that on my 50th birthday, I started the day doing something rewarding and difficult all by myself. I came, I saw, I ran.
| Distance: | 13.1 Miles |
| Time: | 2:02:59 |
| Heart Rate: | 146 |
| Pace: | 9:23 |
| Weather: | Clear |
| Route | Brownell-Montclair Loop |
OK, Life is still NUTS. I am glad that I got all of my runs in, but blogging just ain't been happening. I did make it to Fripp Island for our yearly celebration with friends which includes celebrating my birthday. Early, true, but fun none the less. I took first place in the 5K. That's right, first place in the race. I didn't know how to break the tape (it was thick plastic; it was not going to break). I didn't know what I was supposed to do. Should I run hard through it, put on just a little pressure, and fly through. I ended up simply stopping after the race directors said "stop you are going to hurt yourself".
The rest of the weekend continued to be a blast and it was incredible fun to be with friends while they provided festivities and best wishes for my 50th year on the planet. They sang to me during the Trolley Pub Crawl. Other people passed on the word and groups just started songs too. One friendly fellow made me drink a shot of Jack Daniels from his bottle. It was lots of fun. I stayed in control and still managed to get my 10.5 mile run in the the next day.
I have listened several Daily Source Codes, Accident Hashes, and Phedippidations. They are still my favorite podcasts and keep me company during my runs. Tomorrow is the Phedippidations Worldwide Half-Marathon and I will be running it. Judy will not be joining me. She is still pacing around the southeast with her new boyfriend. I am so pleased for her despite missing her companionship during my Sunday long runs. I hope I can get control of my schedule to do a better job of logging my runs and thoughts daily. It is too difficult to cover so much time in one burst and really do any justice to what's in my head, not that I am that verbose in general anyway.
10/02/07: Neighborhood
| Distance: | 3 Miles |
| Time: | 27:49 |
| Heart Rate: | 148 |
| Pace: | 9:16 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-63° Humidity-70% |
10/04/07: Neighborhood
| Distance: | 5 Miles |
| Time: | 47:15 |
| Heart Rate: | 150 |
| Pace: | 9:26 |
| Weather: | Cloudy Temperature-73° Humidity-90% |
10/05/07: Lake Wateree, SC
| Distance: | 3 Miles |
| Time: | 26:41 |
| Heart Rate: | 148 |
| Pace: | 8:53 |
| Weather: | Overcast Temperature-73° Humidity-90% |
10/06/07: Fripp Island, SC
| Distance: | 3.1 Miles |
| Time: | 24:05 |
| Pace: | 7:46 |
| Weather: | Overcast Temperature-73° Humidity-100% |
10/07/07: Fripp Island, SC
| Distance: | 10.43 Miles |
| Time: | 1:39:58 |
| Pace: | 9:35 |
| Weather: | Cloudy Temperature-73° Humidity-100% |
10/09/07: Neighborhood
| Distance: | 5 Miles |
| Time: | 48:37 |
| Pace: | 9:32 |
| Heart Rate: | 144 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-71° Humidity-87% |
10/10/07: Neighborhood
| Distance: | 7.017 Miles |
| Time: | 1:07:39 |
| Pace: | 9:38 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-58° Humidity-93% |
10/12/07: Neighborhood
| Distance: | 4.5 Miles (estimated, ran last part with Prince) |
| Time: | 42:25 |
| Heart Rate: | 146 |
| Pace: | 9:25 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-51° Humidity-74% |
10/13/07: Neighborhood
| Distance: | 3 Miles |
| Time: | 27:35 |
| Heart Rate: | 145 |
| Pace: | 9:11 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-50° Humidity-83% |
Another run alone. Judy is at the beach. I listened to the latest Daily Source Code and Phedippidations shows. Adam needs to get off of this "red pill" and "blue pill" thing. It was cool and entertaining, but it is getting tired. Further, it seems to perpetuate the same old polarizing viewpoints that are every where. Republican vs Democrat, Muslim vs Christian, Black vs White, etc. The world is far more complicated than that. The truth or best action is not located at the one of a pole, but somewhere end between the two poles. Presuming, of course, that we have even managed to look at the right dimension of a problem's source. Go for the purple pill!
| Distance: | 12 Miles |
| Time: | 1:52:14 |
| Heart Rate: | 146 |
| Pace: | 9:14 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-66° Humidity-51% |
| Route: | The usual 10.5 Miler + 1.5 Miler |
OK, Life has been NUTS. I am glad that I got all of my runs in, but blogging just ain't been happening. I have managed to let work just take over all of life. I have had a lot going on and I need to figure out how to manage it better. I have been either preparing for, managing, or attending sessions at a conference we host. I managed 1 track and co-championed another. Add to that the building of an estimate that is proving more difficult than expected, and I have just been crumbling under the pressure. Oh, and my work laptop died while at the conference.
I have had a problem with this particular laptop's ability to maintain a lit LCD for a long time. Normally, a little tap or movement of the screen and a power monitor on and off reset and it comes back to life. Well, with everything going on and my working endlessly, my prompting for the return of the monitor grew more aggressive. We have to have roommates at this conference to enable more of us to go. Well, I am sure my roommate thinks I am nuts. He said it was no wonder my laptop died implying that I killed it. He might be right.
I did manage to calm myself by the end of the week and I need to search my soul a bit more to regain balance. I need (and will!) to take charge of my life and my work again. All things in balance and I have been letting work just consume me. In fact, one of my friends at the conference said that he was worried about me because he saw me in the hall and thought I looked "consumed and tired". I probably did try to do too much. I didn't relax at all until Thursday night. What really sucks is that since I work remote, I get less time to spend with folks in my company on a face-to-face basis than those in the office and this conference did not afford any opportunities to significantly enhance that. In other words, despite that fact that I was in the same place as many of my colleagues, I saw them little.
I am confident that I will regain balance. Sometimes, you just have to dig in and get stuff done and that's all there is to it. I need to handle it better. But, it is behind me and I need to just keep running forward. I didn't let my running fall behind.
Data
09/18/07: Neighborhood
| Distance: | 5 Miles |
| Time: | 47:23 |
| Heart Rate: | 145 |
| Pace: | 9:28 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-64° Humidity-70% |
09/21/07: Neighborhood
| Distance: | 3 Miles |
| Time: | 27:44 |
| Heart Rate: | 152 |
| Pace: | 9:14 |
| Weather: | Cloudy Temperature-71° Humidity-79% |
09/22/07: Neighborhood
| Distance: | 2 Miles |
| Time: | 17:33 |
| Heart Rate: | 148 |
| Pace: | 8:42 |
| Weather: | Cloudy Temperature-73° Humidity-90% |
09/23/07: Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
| 7.7 Miles | |
| Time: | 1:13:00 |
| Pace: | 9:28 |
| Weather: | Few clouds Temperature-85° Humidity-72% |
09/25/07: Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
| Distance: | 3.7 Miles |
| Time: | 31:09 |
| Pace: | 8:29 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-75° Humidity-79% |
09/27/07: Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
| Distance: | 7.85 Miles |
| Time: | 1:14:51 |
| Pace: | 9:32 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-74° Humidity-87% |
09/28/07: Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
| Distance: | 3 Miles |
| Time: | 27:18 |
| Pace: | 8:57 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-77° Humidity-87% |
09/29/07: Neighborhood
| Distance: | 3 Miles |
| Time: | 27:47 |
| Heart Rate: | 143 |
| Pace: | 9:15 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-66° Humidity-42% |
I ran alone on this nice, brisk morning. I put the iPod on shuffle and along I went. This is the first day of 2008 Mercedes Marathon training for me and the longest run I have done since the last Mercedes Marathon. I did fine. But, I did have a little knee irritation at the beginning (inside of the first 3 miles). The discomfort did subside. Overall, the run felt great and I completed it with no difficulty.
I am a bit disturbed by the reactions to General Petraeus's presentation to Congress and the nation. We Americans have to feel responsible for the mess in Iraq right now. Not to mention that if we abandon the country there is surely a bloodbath (as in one that is worse that the current and recent ones) coming. The extremists will be emboldened and they will have a field day. Add that to the sectarian strife and it will simply be horrible. We have to do everything possible to stabilize the country including routing out the extremists and local killers before we leave. To do otherwise is shameful and cowardly in my opinion. We made the mess; we have to clean it up.
And what about the rumors about the McCann's (the family with the missing daughter, Madeleine)! I would put a link, but really I can't find anything substantial looking. The rumor is that they were swingers and they would sedate the children while they were swinging. The hypothesis is that Madeleine had a reaction or something and the parents are executing a cover up. I sure hope that's not true. Surely, they would have had enough sense to get a sitter. Not to mention they would know better than most of the risks with sedating anyone especially children.
| Distance: | 12 Miles |
| Time: | 1:53:45 |
| Heart Rate: | 147 |
| Pace: | 9:28 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-58° Humidity-78% |
| Route: | The usual 10.5 Miler + 1.5 Miler |
I listened to the lastest Daily Source Code and the rest of the latest Accident Hash during this morning run. iTunes struck again. The last time I sync'd, I right clicked on my channel node in iTunes, right-clicked, and selected "Update Podcast". I swear I got the visual cue indicating nothing to update. I clicked on the red "X" indicating that I wished to close iTunes. I switched the input focus to some other window since iTunes takes forever to do anything. Sometime later, I saw some notice blinking on my system bar. It was iTunes telling me that it was in the middle of downloading and asked something like "Continue...or...". I am sure I selected the option indicating I wanted the download to finish. Well, it didn't.
The show enumerated the various reasons why terrorist hijackers weren't the reason the World Trade Center buildings collapsed. I have to say I don't buy the explanations that suggested conspiracy of our own doing (our own as in some US government planned job or something). Adam referenced a video that you may want to check out to form your own opionion. In fact, it seems interesting that on one hand Adam claims that the CIA and such are such colossal boobs, but we have some organization that could demolish the World Trade Center live on TV and blame on someone else who happily takes the blame. Give me a break! The extremists are real and they really did and want to kill us. It is that freaking simple. I would agree that the path that leads to why they want to kill us is less simple.
Data
| Distance: | 5 Miles |
| Time: | 48:19 |
| Heart Rate: | 148 |
| Pace: | 9:39 |
| Weather: | Cloudy Temperature-68° Humidity-93% |
I listened to the lastest Daily Source Code during this morning run. The days are definitely shorter and I am getting reacquainted with running in the dark, yuk. It is peaceful though.
Data
| Distance: | 3 Miles |
| Time: | 27:52 |
| Heart Rate: | 152 |
| Pace: | 9:17 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-75° Humidity-82% |
No Judy. It seems that she met her new bough, she has not been able to get out to run with me. Well, good for her (and, yes, I mean that). She deserves some happiness and companionship is an excellent way to get some happiness. I have also failed to contact her lately, so maybe she thinks I am not behaving dependably and just running from home. So, I just need to drop her a line and say "hey!".
I listened to the Daily Source Code and Phedippidations during this run. I didn't take the iPhone on the run because ITUNES SUCKS. I got up early to download any new podcasts so I could sync the iPod and the iPhone. Phedippidations disappeared before I could sync it to the iPhone. It made it to the iPhone. Then, the Daily Source Code did not go the the Channel folder per my subscription, but when to its own separate folder. It loaded to the iPod, but not the iPhone. I tried moving it to the usual folder, dragging it to the playlist, and the bottom line is NOTHING F**K*NG worked. The show went to the iPod, but not the iPhone. So, I ran with the iPod. Apple will you F**K*NG FIX THIS!
The run went great, just check out the pace. Yee haw!
Data
| Distance: | 8.5 Miles |
| Time: | 1:14:09 |
| Heart Rate: | 155 |
| Pace: | 8:43 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-77° Humidity-62% |
| Route: | The usual 8.5 Miler |
I listened to the lastest Daily Source Code during this morning run. I am expecting a stress filled overloaded day, so I needed this run to try to settle my mind and spirit before starting the day. It worked, but unfortunately I don't expect it to last long. Absent from my life at the moment is a strong sense of control and adequate control of time and load. I assume this happens to most of us from time-to-time when the demands just seem to overpower and out pace one's ability to deliver. On I go hoping like hell catch up or at least stay one step ahead. Is the singularity here yet?
Oh, before I forget, I tried to listen to the latest Phedippidations via streaming to the iPhone on the way back from the beach. Unlike the Daily Source Code I streamed recently, it didn't work. :(
Data
| Distance: | 3 Miles |
| Time: | 28:48 |
| Heart Rate: | 145 |
| Pace: | 9:35 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-76° Humidity-71% |
We went to the beach, Seagrove Beach, Florida, this weekend and I have been incredibly busy. So, here's a bunch of runs and a few comments. I finished "The Innocent Man" by John Grisham. Excellent book although it's Grisham's first non-fiction work.I thoroughly enjoyed the time with my family especially our young son. He had many moments of just pure joy. It was a pleasure to be there with him. We swam in the ocean and we swam in the pool. I really needed some time away from work. I got some good runs in too.
The Gulf was just beautiful. The weather was beautiful.
| Finished! Excellent writing and riveting reading. Clearly this story was told with much input from Ron Williamson's sisters who loved him very much. The story is sad, but well worth reading. It is horrible to think that other innocent men suffer similar fates. |
Data
08/29/07: Neighborhood
| Distance: | 5 Miles |
| Time: | 48:28 |
| Heart Rate: | 146 |
| Pace: | 9:45 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-74° Humidity-94% |
09/01/07: Seagrove Beach, FL
| Distance: | 3 Miles |
| Time: | 26:38 |
| Pace: | 8:52 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-74° Humidity-94% |
| Route | |
09/02/07: Seagrove Beach, FL
| Distance: | 10.5 Miles |
| Time: | 1:38:54 |
| Pace: | 9:25 |
| Weather: | Mostly cloudy Temperature-79° Humidity-89% |
| Route | |
09/04/07: Neighborhood
| Distance: | 3 Miles |
| Time: | 29:13 |
| Heart Rate: | 139 |
| Pace: | 9:44 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-71° Humidity-90% |
I listened to the Daily Source Code during this early morning run. I was saddened and amused to hear Adam tell of his accidental dropping of his iPhone into the soiled bowl of his toilet. I hope it comes back to function, but he doesn't sound hopeful. I am hoping that my pace is a reflection of recent illness and not a developing pattern. I am about 4-5 pounds lighter than last week. So, I think I was sicker than I thought.
Data
| Distance: | 3 Miles |
| Time: | 28:57 |
| Heart Rate: | 141 |
| Pace: | 9:39 |
| Weather: | Cloudy Temperature-75° Humidity-87% |
Data
| Distance: | 8.65 Miles |
| Time: | 1:24:28 |
| Heart Rate: | 151 |
| Pace: | 9:45 |
| Weather: | Mostly cloudy Temperature-74° Humidity-97% |
| Route | |
I put the iPod on shuffle and let the music flow for this run. Lots of people were out and around the lake this morning. I received 2 interesting text messages from AT&T. The national press and the Internet caught on to an amusing video about someone's iPhone bill. It came in a box. I received the following text message:
Makes you think the video was definitely genuine. What a hoot!
Data
| Distance: | 3 Miles |
| Time: | 27:58 |
| Heart Rate: | 151 |
| Pace: | 9:19 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-75° Humidity-87% |
 | For those that want to get me stuff ;) |
